Mia Michaels to Leave "So You Think You Can Dance"

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WEST HOLLYWOOD, CA - MAY 27: Mia Michaels attends the 'So You Think You Can Dance' new season premiere viewing party at Trousdale on May 27, 2010 in West Hollywood, California. (Photo by Jason LaVeris/FilmMagic)

The Emmy-winning choreographer says that her decision to give up her chair was prompted by a feeling she had while shooting the reality show's most recent season.

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"Last year when I was sitting on the [judges] panel, I knew it wasn't the right fit because I felt too glossy sitting on the panel," she said." People were so focused on what I wore and my hair. I wanted to get dirty and back to the work. I am an artist and I'm a visionaey. I need to paint my world now and not be constantly linked to So You Think You Can Dance."

However, she's very happy with the experience she had on the show.

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"It's been a great platform," she said. "It was an amazing, amazing thing for me but I feel like I have to fly. I have to now focus on Mia's world."

And a busy world it will be, as she's currently writing a memoir, developing a Broadway show and starring in a new Bravo reality show.

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She's also happy about the way she's leaving the show, or, rather, who'll be filling her position on the panel.

"I heard they're bringing Mary Murphy back and I'm really happy for her," she said in reference to one of the show's former judges who will rejoin the cast. "I've sat in that chari, but I feel like that was Mary's chair."